RURAL crime cost Herefordshire £735,000 in 2016, a new report by insurance firm NFU Mutual has revealed.

The figures – up 2.6% from 2015 – form part of NFU Mutual’s annual Rural Crime Report which was published on Monday.

According to the report, early theft claims statistics for the first half of this year show a sharp rise of more than 20% nationally, raising concerns that a new wave of rural crime is hitting the countryside.

The items most commonly targeted by thieves across Herefordshire over the last 12 months were ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) and quads, machinery and garden equipment.

Matthew Price, NFU Mutual Senior Agent in Herefordshire, said: "Countryside criminals in Herefordshire continue to become more brazen and farmers are now having to continually increase security and adopt new ways of protecting their equipment.

"To help combat rural crime, we’ve been working closely with West Mercia police for the last three years through our ‘Stop That Thief’ initiative.

"We provide local farmers, who have experienced rural crime, with a simple, cost effective security solution, which is then fitted to the premises as a deterrent. Since launching the initiative, we have seen a drop in repeat thefts on the farms where our systems are set up and have since rolled out ‘Stop That Thief’ county-wide.”

The report reveals that being ‘staked out’ is the biggest worry for country people, followed closely by longer police response times in rural areas, according to the leading rural insurer.

Criminals continue to target Land Rover Defenders, quad bikes, tractors, tools and livestock despite increased security on farms.

Mr Price added: "The threat of becoming a victim of rural crime, and regular reports of suspicious characters watching farms is causing high levels of anxiety amongst farmers who know their rural location makes them vulnerable to attacks.

"Our advice to people living and working in the countryside is to regularly evaluate your current security measures making improvements where necessary, remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the local police and local farm watch schemes.”

For more information and advice on how to beat rural crime in your area download the report at nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime